Bears power rankings roundup: Where Chicago stands heading into 2026

No one expected the Chicago Bears to have the kind of season they did in their first year with head coach Ben Johnson. At least no one outside Halas Hall. But following an 11-6 season that included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win, expectations are high for Chicago heading into 2026.

The Bears overachieved in Johnson's first season as coach, where the emergence of quarterback Caleb Williams along with the overhaul along the offensive line and the NFL's best rookie draft class led to an impactful year. This offseason will be about shoring up needs along the roster, most notably on defense, to make this a team that can once again contend for a Super Bowl. And now that the Bears have the duo of Johnson and Williams, the sky's the limit heading into Year 2.

We've rounded up all of the way-too-early power rankings following the Super Bowl, and it's clear that the media believe the Bears have the potential to make a statement in 2026.

USA Today

Current ranking: 3rd

What they said: "They gave the mighty Rams all they could handle in an overtime divisional round loss at Soldier Field. Chicago won eight of its final 12 games and captured its first NFC North title in seven years. "Good, better, best," this team incrementally got better in 2025 and not only found an identity but a power couple in coach Ben Johnson and QB Caleb Williams that could be a force to be reckoned with for the next decade-plus." -- Nate Davis

NFL.com

Current ranking: 7th

What they said: "The Bears made football fun again in Chicago. From the team’s poor recent history to the 0-2 start, things were pretty dark at one point. That’s when the Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson magic kicked in and delivered one thrilling finish after another. Even the losses were entertaining and mostly encouraging. Yet the Bears still must realize their shortcomings. They will need to identify ways to fortify the defense and stabilize the offense for another big run in what should be a loaded NFC North once again. The foundation is in place, but there’s still more building to do. A few cuts might be necessary, and that’s assuming they can redo some contracts, but Chicago will likely have neither the cap space nor the draft ammunition to make blockbuster additions." -- Eric Edholm

ESPN

Current ranking: 11th

What they said: "This is one of the quieter offseasons for the Bears in recent history. Sure, they'll have to find a new assistant general manager, offensive coordinator and running backs coach, but they don't have to make franchise-altering moves ahead of next season. The Bears have the right coach-quarterback pairing with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. They established a winning culture that they can build off next season. There's work to be done on the roster, notably with the pass rush, in free agency and the draft, but this is setting up to be a drama-free offseason." -- Courtney Cronin

The Athletic

Current ranking: 11th

What they said: "The Bears’ signing of Drew Dalman and trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson were the second-most impactful offseason additions behind only New England’s huge haul in free agency. It led to a resurgent season for quarterback Caleb Williams and Chicago’s first playoff win in 15 years. This team might be a summer sleeper." -- Josh Kendall and Chad Graff

Yahoo! Sports

Current ranking: 9th

What they said: "The Bears came along fast in 2025. Often teams that take a big leap fall back the next year, but Caleb Williams should theoretically improve in his third season, especially with Ben Johnson coaching him. The defense could use some pieces, particularly in the pass rush, though it will be hard with the 25th pick or without a ton of cap space. Still, the roster was good enough for a division title and a playoff win, and there’s reason to believe the trajectory is still pointing up." -- Frank Schwab

FOX Sports

Current ranking: 10th

What they said: "The strain on Caleb Williams and that dangerous offense is going to be too much if the Bears trot out the same bad defense. They’re still a playoff threat, but if they develop a pass rush and fix their secondary, they could be a Super Bowl contender." -- Ralph Vacchiano

Bleacher Report

Current ranking: 7th

What they said: "Ben Johnson proved to be the right hire as Chicago Bears head coach, and his presence helped Caleb Williams begin the trek toward realizing his potential as an elite quarterback. Everything else from the 2025 season was gravy for the team. Williams' talent was on full display, particularly late in games. Considering the franchise has essentially been searching for a legitimate franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman retired in 1950—a stretch that is no exaggeration—Williams' development became the driving force behind everything the organization did this past season and is already starting to be rewarded. His creativity and playmaking ability shone brightly. The Bears are now a real contender after winning the NFC North, and they have the potential to get even better." -- Brent Sobleski

The Verdict

Highest ranking: 3rd

Lowest ranking: 11th

Our take: Following their 11-6 season, where they won the NFC North, a wild-card playoff and fell just short in overtime of the divisional round, the media have high expectations for the Bears heading into the 2026 season. That has everything to do with the fact that Chicago finally has that illustrious head coach-quarterback combination in Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, which has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL. While the Bears will face a daunting schedule (on paper, just like last season), most of these rankings show a belief that Chicago will make it two in a row winning the NFC North or, at the very least, land a wild-card spot and once again position themselves to make a statement in the postseason.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears power rankings roundup: Where Chicago stands heading into 2026